Chondromalacia patella is a condition that occurs whenever there is a softening or wearing away of the cartilage underneath the kneecap. This can result in severe knee pain, and may seriously hamper your movements. Surprisingly, one of the many benefits of chiropractic care is the fact that it can help alleviate this condition, which might otherwise require surgery to correct. Under normal circumstances, the kneecap glides smoothly over the femoral groove whenever you bend or straighten your leg. Chondromalacia patella is most often caused by misalignment in the hips, knees or feet, which then causes the kneecap to grind against the femur bone rather than remaining inside this groove. Over time, this can cause the cartilage to wear away, making it difficult for you to perform strenuous activity such as running or climbing stairs. One way Indianapolis chiropractors can eliminate this type of knee pain is by ensuring the sacroiliac joints are aligned properly. The sacroiliac joints are found in the pelvis, and are partly responsible for ensuring the leg is properly aligned. When the leg is misaligned, this in turn can cause the kneecap to gravitate to one side or the other, thereby causing cartilage to disintegrate. In addition to realignment, your chiropractor may recommend performing stretching exercises for your hamstrings and quadriceps. This in turn will strengthen these muscle groups so the knee will be better able to remain in position, and there will be less grinding as a result. Other things a chiropractor may recommend are: Losing Weight Wearing shoes with the proper amount of support Avoiding running or walking on hard surfaces Using a knee brace to help stabilize the kneecap Doing these things in conjunction with chiropractic treatment can make a world of difference in the way your knees feel. This condition tends to only get worse over time, so as soon as you are diagnosed, give us a call so we can help you begin feeling better and prevent future...